Method of and apparatus for



Nov. 2, 1948. 2,452,858

METHOD O AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE J. MILLER 17 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March Qt, 1929 3nvent or WLL/A/lcj/ZU. ER

(Ittomeg Nov. 2, 1948.

J. MILLER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE 1'7 Sheds-Sheet 2 Original Filed March-l, 1929 I I W NM M w. J. MILLER Nov. 2, 1948.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original Filed March 1, 1929 17 Sheets-Sheet mom mom

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METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original Filed Marbh 1, 1929 17 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jrmentor Gttorneg Nov; 2, 1948. w. J. MILLER 2,452,858

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE J Original Filed March 1, 1929 l7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Qttorneg Nov. 2, 1948. w. J. MILLER 2,452,853

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original Filed March 1, 1929 17 Sheets-sheet 6 ag-duh FIG.14- Q 3nventor \A/ML/AMLj/ZLLEE (Ittorneg Nov. 2, 1948. w. J. MILLER. 2,452,858

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original Filed March 1, 1929 1'7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Nov. 2, 1948. w. J. MILLER 2,452,353

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original Filed March 1, 1929 Y 1 17 Sheets Sheet 8 amnnnnnnnprsjl IG.7D

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METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original iled March 1, 1929 17 Sheets-Sheet 9 (Ittomeg Nov. 2, 1948. w. J. MILLER 2,452,853

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS-FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original iled March 1, 1929 "17 Sheets-Sheet 1o Snnentor \M/LA/AML/MALI E W. J. MILLER Nov 2, 1948.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE l7 Sheets-Sheet 11 Original Filed March 1, 1929 Nov. 2, 1948. w. J. MILLER A 2,452,858

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original Filed March 1, 1929 l7 Sheets-Sheet l2 Zhwentor (Ittorneg w. Jl MILLER 2,452,858

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Nov. 2, 1948.

- 1v She'ets-Sheei 15 Original Filed March 1, 1929 wxm ax mm attorney Nov. 2, 1948. w. J. MILLER 2,452,858

V I METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original iled Mar ch l, 1929 17 Sheets-Sheet 14 FIG.14 5a 3nventor 6 Kimv NOV. 2 1948. w; J, MILLER 2,452,858

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE Original Filed March 1, 1929 17 Sheets-Sheet- 15 E EPIC-3.18- Fxsls W. J. MILLER Nov. 2, 1948.

METHOD QF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE 1v sheets-sheet 1v Originl Filed March 1, 1929 mw i Patented Nov. 2, 1948 METHOD OF ANDAPPARATUS FOR PRODUCING POTTERY WARE William J. Miller, Swissvale, Pa., assignor to Miller Pottery Engineering Company, Swissvale, Pa., a. corporation of Pennsylvania.

Original application March 1, 1929, Serial No.

Divided and this application March 29, 1935, Serial No. 13,683

1 This invention relates to 'a method of and apparatus for producing "pottery ware, and the principal object of the same is to provide a process of fabrication and apparatusfor carrying out the process whereby this class of ware may be manufactured more expeditiously and economically than with the known machinesnow in use, the apparatus possessing numerous advantageous features of construction and operation inaugu-- ratedwith a view toward improving the grade of ware and at the same time facilitating volume production with a minimum amount of manual attention.

- This application is a division of my copending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 343,693 filed March 1, 1929, Patent 2,046,525.

In practicing the-method, the molds 'in which the ware is formed and fabricated are disposed on open-bottom trays and the latter mounted in series in an endless flexible, preferably continu-' ously-driven, conveyor which progresses the molds adjacent the various fabricating units and through a drieryand at such points where neces-' sary, the trays are temporarily halted for a fabricating operation, the molds being accessible from above, below and through the sides of the" trays, reciprocable and rotatable chucks serving to elevate the molds from the trays and rotate same in operativeadjacency to such of the fabri-' eating units as may involve this operation; or the chucks may serve to simply elevateor stabilize the molds during certain fabricating operations,

the advancing ware and/or moldsbeing treated and the moisture content thereof regulated in accordance with the successive fabricating operations.

The complete apparatus includes automatically-operated units or assemblies for producing ware of various shapes and designs, such for example as plates, cups, bowls; saucersand the conjunctionwith a drier, and therein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of preferred- 98 Claims. (01. 25-22) arrangement of the various units of the apparatus mounted in cooperative relation with a drier and supplemental treating chamber or drierdise posed thereon, the side wall of the lower main drier being removed;

Fig. 1A is an enlarged view in side elevation of the upper portion of Fig. 1, the side wall of the supplemental treating chamber or drier being broken away in part to show the apparatus therein;

. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the driers and apparatus as illustrated in Fig. 1, the top cover frame being broken away at various points to show the parts below;

' Fig. 2A is a plan view of Fig. 1A, broken longitudinally and moved together to conserve space, the cup fabricating lines only being shown, and

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a view in sectional side elevation and to some extent diagrammatic of a preferred form of air-conditioning apparatus for the drier; Fig. 4A is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a portion of the drier looking toward the right as viewed in Fig. 3, the frame of the machine and side wall of the drier being removed to show the action of the air currents therein, and Fig. 4B is a similar view looking toward the left; Fig. 4C is a detail view of a valve and nozzle assembly; Fig. 4D is a miniature fragmentary view in sectional side elevation of a modified type of drier; Fig

4E is a detail View of an air-control unit for installation in the drying system.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View in side levation of a portion of the conveying mechanism; Figs. 5A and 5B are similar views of modifications in structure; Fig. 5C is a view also similar to Fig. 5 of a preferred form of driving mechanism for the ware conveying system; and Fig. 5D is a broken plan view of the same; Fig. SE is a detail view in section of an adjusting device for the conveyor sprockets.

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of a preferred form of tray having a number of different types of molds disposed thereon, the tray being swingably mounted in the conveyor and shown in spotted position for a fabricating operation; Fig. 6A is an section taken on the line 6-B, Fig. 6; Fig. 6D is a detail sectional view of a modified form of tray and conveyor trunnion construction, and Fig. GE is a view taken on the line 66, Fig. 61); Fig. 6F is a detail view of a positioning stud: for use with the trays; Figs. 6G to 6K, inclusive, are detail views of modifications in parts which may he used in the conveying system.

Figures 7 to '71, inclusive, are detail views in section and elevation of various forms, of lever and cam mounting structures.

Figure 8 is a transverse vertioalsection: through a preferred form of mold for cups. or deep-ware, and Fig. 8A is a similar view of a mold for shallow ware; Figs. 83, 8C, 8D, and,,8E are fragmentary 4 vation of a change speed unit particularly adapted for the carriage and feeder assemblies; Fig. 14E is a fragmentary view in section and front elevation of a spotting chuck mounted on the carriage assembly, and- Fig. 14E? is. a detail. view of the cams for Fig. 14D.

Figure is a view in front elevation of the profile and trimmer assembly, and Fig. 15A is a broken side or edge elevation of a portion thereof as viewed from the left; Fig. 15B is a view similar to Fig. 15* of'a modification in structure partly broken away to-show the trimmer, and Fig. 150

is arplan view, thereof, only a fragment of the sectional views of varioust' ypes ofmolds and cooperating parts; Fig. 8F is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 8A of a mold for undercut articles such as insulators, Fig. 8G is a transverse-vertical sectional View, partly im elevation, of a partible mold' particularly adapted for automatic applicationof handlesand like appendages to the ware;

and FigBH is a. view taken on theli'ne li -8. Fig. 8G; Fig. 81 is a plan'view of-another'form of partible mold; Figs. SJ and 83- are, respectively, side elevation and-plan views of a boxing form; Fig. 8K is. a plan view'ofia partible moldfor'undercut ware, and Fig. 8L is a-sectional'view t-aken on the line 8 'B Fig. 8K.

Figure 9 is a view in section and side elevation of a moldactuatingo'r jigger assembly, and Fig; 9A is: ahorizonta-l sectionalplan view taken on the line 9'-9-"-; Fig. 9 Fig: 9B is a view inside" elevation of another form of mold-actuating or jigger assemblyand Fig..9C is a horizonta-l sectional planiview taken on theline' 9'9, Fig. 93; Figs. 9D and QE are' detail views of parts of the moldactuating assembly; Fig. 9F isa'reduced fragmentary detail view of a drive unit; Fig. 9G is a detail viewof a flexible: coupling;

Figuresifl'is a detail view'in s'ection -and-side elevation of a valve. and actuatingmeans-therefore, employed for controlling the application of sub and super atmosphere and analogous fluid mee diums.

. Figure 11' isa transverse verticalsectional view of a mold and'ware-treating nozzle member.

Figures 12 and 1'2A3are'detailviews in section of detent or latchmembers used in theapparatus.

Figure l3 isa transverse vertical sectional View of the clay-progressing'and' compacting means forming part of the assembly'for feeding charges of clay to the molds; Fig; 13A: is an end view thereof. andiFig;. 13B is an enlarged view of: a portion of Fig. 13A;.Fig. 13C is a plan view of the extruding means formingpa'rti of the feeder? as?- sembly, Fig. 13D is a view principally in transverse vertical section thereof, and Fig. 13E. is an enlarged transverse vertical section of'a portioniof Fig. 13D; Figs. 13F and 13G are views similar to Fig. 13E of attachments for the feeders;;Figs. 13H, 131 and 13J are views in section: illustrating the feeding operation; Fig. 13K is atransverse vertical sectional view of a further form of attachment for the feeder.

Figure 14 is. a View in front elevation of. att'ool' or attachment carriage assembly to which various fabricating tools and attachments are applied, Fig. 14A is a view thereof in side elevation, and Fig. 14A? isa detail fragmentary view of parts of the assembly; Fig. 143 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line li -4K5", Fig. 14,. and- Fig. 1410 is a similar view taken on the line il -44, Fig. .14 and also'showing a section: of a carriage turret; Fig. 14D is adetail view in sectional eleprofile being shown; Fig. 15D is a transverse verticalsectional view of a profile assembly constructedto permit: feeding of material therethrough;,f Fig. 15'Eis a view in elevation of a set of' cams which may be used for the carriage assemblyw-hen the profile and trimmer assembly of Fig. 15 is mounted thereon.

Figure lfi-isabroken planrview of a; preferred form of excess-material removingassembly, and Fig. lfi-Ais-a transverse vertical section taken onthe line N -16 Fig. 16; Fig. 16B is-a view similar to Fig. 16 of a modification in structure; Fig.

isa-fragmentary eleval'a Qnaof a slight modifi Figure 17- isa .view in: section= and side elevation of anadditional material or slip-applying and. ware-decorating; assembly;.other. parts ofthis assembly being included in Fig. 20; Fig. 17A isan endview of partof the apparatusshown. in Fig. 1'7 asindicated by. theline. l fl '-l'l Fig. 17; Fig. 17B-is an enlarged end view taken on the line l1"i1 Fig. 17, and Fig. is a sectional view taken on the,line.. l'| l: 1, Fig. 173; Figs 1713, 171.1. and- 17F are views in: transverse-vertical sectionandelev-ation of decorating attachments for. use. with theware-decorating assembly, and Fig. 17DE is a; detail viewpf the cams for use with the carriage assembly. when the attachments; shown by Figs. 17D and 17E are mounted thereon; Fig 17G-isatransvrsevertical sectional view of anundercutting attachment and moldadapted therefore; Fig. 17H. is a; view similar to Fig. 17G of aware reshaping attachment, and. Fig. 17H. shows a cam for the carriageassembly when said attachment is v mounted; thereon Fig. 171 is 1 a diagrammatic; illustration toclarify the operation 0 the-decorating assembly.

Figures l8 to-1-8l3; inclusive,- are transversevertical sectionalviews'of grip chucksfor usein transferring ware and variouaother fabricating operations and Fig. 18E is a fragmentary sectional view of an attachment used for conductingair or. analogous fluid mediumsto saidchucks.

Figure. 19 is a view infront elevation of aware turning. andfinishing assembly,.F igs. 19A and. 19B are, respectively, views in side elevation and'top plan of the same, andFig 19A13 is a view in elevation: of the. cams-for the carriage when the m l l mb E e.. .9Aa p 1193:2 3 mounted thereon; Fi'g..19C is. a side elevation of another from; of ware turning and finishing assembly. Fig.v 19D and 19E. are, respectively,- views in front elevation: and topplan. of the. same,. and Fig. 19CE -is aview in elevation. of the cams for the carriage when the assembly shownby Figs. 19C, 19D!andlQEiamounted thereon; Fig. 19F is a front elevation of aware swabbing and edgefinishing assembly, Fig, 19G is aside elevation thereof partly in section, and-Figz 1=9FG is a view in. elevation, of. ,thezoams, for the carriage when the assembly shown by Figs 19F and 19G is mounted thereon; Fig. 19H is a front elevation of afurther form of ware :turningand finishing as tail view of thetool used in the assembly shown.

by Figs. 19H and 191; Figs 19K and 19L are views in transverse vertical section of tools used in turning and finishing the bottoms of shallow ware and the interior of deep ware. I

Figure 20 is a view in sectional and side elevation of a charge-applying and measuring device and cooperating parts adapted for use with the assembly shown by, Fig. 17 and also for charging the appendage or handle molds, and Fig. 20A is a transverse vertical sectional view of a nozzle mem.- ber; adapted for use with the charge-applying and measuring device when charging said molds.

.Thevarious fabricating units which go to make up thecomplete machine should be mounted in such. order along the fabricating line as will.

permit each operation to be performed in proper sequence in accordance with the article of ware being produced/and the frame of the apparatus is. constructed to permit interchanging of the said units as desired. In Fig. 1 the units are arranged so that the molds are first cleaned at A, bynozzles as shown in Fig. 11, the clay charges fed to the molds at B, by the devices shown in Figs. 9B-'13to 13K,the charges prepared for the profile ,by being preformed or having additional material applied thereto at C, by the means shown in Figs. 9B13D to 13K14l5D-17 17D to 17F, this unit being used only in certain instances, the charges shaped or profiled to form same into, ware at D, by means shown in Figs. 9 to9F and16 to 16D, the ware treated by the nozzlesshown in Fig. 11 in preparation for decoration or incrustation work at E the ware reshaped or decorated at F by the means shown in Figs. 9 to 9F, 1'7, 17D to 171, after which the ware moves into the drier. If cups or analogous ware which require turning and finishing and/or.

handles are being produced mom or more lines, this were isconveyed through the drier until in a leather-hard state and then transferred from. themain drier to the supplemental drier or treating chamber and turned and finished while undergoing transfer at G by means shown in out of the main drier and treated or cleaned at L by the means shownin Figs. 11, 17F and finally the ware is transferred to the ware conveyors at R by the means shown in Figs. 14 to 14E; 18 to 18E which convey the ware to the kiln "for firing; while in the case of plates and analogous ware which may not require turning and/or handles and like appendages, this ware completes the cycle through the main drier without interruption until dry, then passes out of the main drier and may be cleaned or otherwisetreated at L, the bottoms finished at M by the means shown in Figs. 14 to 143, 19K the edges and surfaces smoothed at N by the means shown and if the ware is to be decorated, it is again treated at O by the means shown in Figs. 11- 11F to prepare it for the decorating unit located at P and shown in detail in Figs. 17D to 17F, 17H,

finally treated or cleaned at Q by means shown in Figs. 11-11F after which it is also transferred to the ware conveyor at R and conveyed to the kiln: for. firing.

It will be understood that the foregoing sequential arrangement and operation of the vari-- ous units is adopted merely for the purposes of illustration and may be varied at will, the apparatus being so constructed that the units are interchangeable, as previously specified, so that they may be readily arranged in proper sequence in accordance with the ware to be manufactured.

Drier While any type of ceramic drier may be used in practicing the present method, it is preferred to adopt a system of air-circulation and conditioning apparatus similar to that which is more or less diagrammatically illustrated in Figs.1A

to 4G, inclusive, and whereby the temperature,"

humidity, volume, direction of flow and velocity of the air in the whole or any part of the drier ing the spent air and incoming atmospheric air. First referring to Fig. 4, the numeral 5 de signates a main temperature-regulating chamber of an air conditioning apparatus, the lower portion thereof opening into a main humidityregulating chamber 6. pressure regulating unit 1 is shown mounted at one extremity of the chamber 6, this unit com-. prising a speed-regulable reversible motor having a fan or screw detachably secured on the arma-M ture shaft, the latter having bearing in an externally-threaded sleeve la. The unit is shown in detail in Fig. 4E and may be readily installed in any of the air conduits of the system or in thewall of the drier by simply threading the sleeve 1a into the conduit or wall. These units control,

the super and sub-atmospheric pressure of the circulating air aswell as the direction of flow,

thereof .in the various conduits and, zones. By lowering the pressure of the air in a particular zone or zones, the drying action is increased for a given temperature, and by raising the pressure,

the drying action is retarded. The fan .in the end of the chamber 6 is disposed to draw air in through a valve-controlled conduit Bleading to the atmosphere.

The chamber 6 may also be provided with individually-controlled heating elements or coils 9, spraying means I 0 which may be fed with water from a suitable source and the water heated or cooled, and under automatic control, and baffles I I against which the saturated air is directed, the excess spray not absorbed by the air falling onto a drain pan or through I2 and draining 01f through a valved pipe I3, which may conduct the spray water back to the source of supplyfor further use. The main chamber 5 also contains superheating coils l 4, which may be used to bring An air-circulating and 1 

